Summer Memorization Part I

Below are the taped results of our first two weeks of memory work this summer. 

If it seems we have an extremely "American" theme going on-- it was not entirely intentional. It is true however, that living outside of the American school system means we get a little behind on some of the standards, like the Pledge of Allegiance. Before we left for China, I remember a friend who grew up overseas telling me about her experience. Often as an American abroad, you can feel a little gun-shy to be to overtly "American" because as you quickly realize, most of the world either sees you as obnoxious, ethnocentric, ignorant, or all of the above. Or even if you don't have that experience, when you are surrounded by a host of other nationalities, you want to be accomodating and interested, not caught up purely in the nuances and traditions of your own home country. But, my friend noted, that in her parents attempt not to be obnoxious and over-the-top about their American-ness, they failed to pass on down to her some of the basics every citizen usually knows. Things like the Pledge of Allegiance, or the names of the States, or the song about the Presidents. So make sure your kids know that stuff, is what she told me. And I can see the sense in it.

The other thing I want to say is that iMovie is just way too much fun. I could get locked in a closet for the summer and possibly never come out if I had that nifty little program all to myself. Pure genius.

Without further ado... I bring you Summer 2012 Memorization Bonanza, Part I. Enjoy!